Finland supports nicotine replacement therapy for harm reduction
Filter reported that although about 900,000 citizens smoke combustible cigarettes, Finland has enacted strict laws on e-cigarettes and banned snus, while maintaining a thriving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market.
Filter reports that despite approximately 900,000 citizens smoking combustible cigarettes, Finland has implemented strict laws on e-cigarettes and banned the use of oral tobacco, noting that the country indeed has a thriving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) market.
Finland has banned the use of e-cigarettes in all smoke-free areas, prohibited flavors other than tobacco, implemented a comprehensive advertising ban, and deemed online and cross-border sales illegal. Oral tobacco is also banned—Sweden is the only EU member state exempt from the oral tobacco ban. Nevertheless, it is estimated that 38,000 people in the country still use nicotine e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes are considered less harmful than smoking combustible cigarettes, but Finland focuses on NRT products such as gum and patches rather than harm reduction products like e-cigarettes. NRT products can be easily purchased nationwide without a prescription.
“NRT is definitely the most popular smoking cessation tool,” said Jari Ollikka, president and co-founder of Vapers Finland ry, an association created by and for e-cigarette users, in an interview with Filter. “There was a time when it was only sold in pharmacies, but since 2006, NRT has started to be sold in general stores.
“There is a goal to achieve a ‘smoke-free Finland’ by 2040. But then the goal changed: the current target is 2030. Meanwhile, Finland has shifted from wanting to be a smoke-free country to a smoke-free and nicotine-free country.
“Pharmaceutical companies have already been involved in Finland's smoke-free movement, and they do not like e-cigarettes. They are the ones benefiting from promoting NRT. Additionally, pharmacies want to reclaim their share from NRT sales, as they are lobbying to end the general sale of NRT and only allow it to be sold in pharmacies,” he said.
Ollikka stated that the government now acknowledges that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking, “but there is no push for people to use e-cigarettes as a way to quit smoking. Finland is stuck in this ‘quit or die’ dilemma regarding smoking. There is no belief in harm reduction. Finland wants to offer those who wish to quit smoking the choice of NRT—or cold turkey! Vaping is seen merely as part of big tobacco. E-cigarettes are not viewed as a cessation aid.”
Finland will hold parliamentary elections in April. Ollikka mentioned that some political parties are pushing for the legalization of snuff. “So,” he said, “I think this is a great opportunity to influence politicians to also lift restrictions on e-cigarettes.”
